Contact: John Tickle, ext 6000

1. Summary

1.1 This report outlines the work undertaken at Yateley Common in the period since the last meeting.

2. Foot and Mouth Disease

2.1 Two thirds of the Common (all land east of Cricket Hill Lane) was closed due to the Foot and Mouth outbreak in February. It was felt that keeping the land west of Cricket Hill open would give local residents somewhere to go that was well away from any livestock and would give a higher likelihood that the closure of the rest of the Common would be observed.

2.2 MAFF advice was adhered to throughout the crisis and when it was advised to reopen land which did not actually have stock on it, the Common was reopened. Various restrictions were imposed in line with national government advice, in particular visitors were asked to keep dogs on leads. This policy was extremely unpopular and was widely disregarded, to the point where it became untenable to retain the restrictions and they were lifted.

3. Conservation

3.1 The Countryside Stewardship restoration work on the slope above Strood Pool was completed.

3.2 A hay cut was taken from the Cricketers Green in September.

3.3 A consultant entomologist has surveyed the western part of the Common and has found a number of rare species. He described the invertebrate assemblage of the grasslands as `outstanding'. He also considered the Cricketers Green to be very important.

4. Education

4.1 Very few school visits took place due initially to the closure of the Strood Pool area. After the Common reopened, it is likely that schools either did not realise that it was open or it was too late for them to organise a visit.

4.2 A series of children's activities were organised during the summer holidays. Unfortunately only two of the events were actually run as there were very few bookings.

5. Site Abuse

5.1 The usual problems continue, compounded by lack of police support. Two local officers have expressed interest in helping with the motor cycling problems but as it is not now possible to phone Yateley Police Station direct, we are finding it impossible to actually get through to report such incidents.

5.2 A number of motor cyclists were caught on one occasion by the police after a report by a member of the public. Apparently all the motor bikes involved were stolen.

5.3 Stolen cars and fly tipping remain a huge concern to site staff.

6. Access

6.1 Vehicular access tracks leading to Wyndhams Pool car park, Haywards Cottage and the houses to the west of Cricket Hill have been re-graded or resurfaced.

6.2 Following discussions with the residents of Brandy Bottom, the remainder of the track leading to their houses will be re-graded and compacted by a contractor hired by the residents. The County Council is making a contribution towards the cost of the contractor.

6.3 The owners of The Cricketers Public House have not put forward any scheme to improve the track leading to their establishment.

6.4 Rights of Way on Yateley Common

Prior to the Foot and Mouth outbreak, a meeting was held between the Site Manager, Countryside Officer and Rights of Way staff to discuss the way forward. As a result of this, it was decided that the Sites Manager and Area Rights of Way Officer should meet with the Ramblers Association to discuss preliminary proposals. The issue was then put on hold due to the excessive workload on Rights of Way staff and site staff caused by the Foot and Mouth outbreak. A new Area Rights of Way Officer has recently been appointed and it is intended to have a meeting with the Ramblers Association in the near future.

6.5 Discussions with the new owners of Cottage Farm regarding the problems caused by some horse riders on the Common have been very positive. When the Rights of Way issues have been resolved it is likely that the owners of Cottage Farm will assist in resolving the problems previously discussed by the Committee.

6.6 As usual, a considerable amount of staff time has been spent cutting back pathside vegetation. It is hoped that the quantity of material removed this year will reduce the workload next summer, freeing time for alternative works.

6.7 Some progress has been made with creating mountain bike facilities on the Land Bank. A meeting was held with some of the users and they have subsequently created part of the cycle track. It is hoped that further works can be carried out in due course.

7. Staffing

7.1 Cheryl McGhie was appointed as the Yateley Common Ranger in January.

8. Legal Issues

8.1 The Site Manager's workload is currently dominated by legal issues regarding

various adjacent landowners.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1 Published works.

2 Documents which disclosure exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.